A photographers trip to the Highlands isn’t complete… (Ffordes Photographic)

A photographer’s trip to the Highlands typically isn’t complete without a trip to Ffordes Photographic.

They are a really friendly and knowledgeable bunch, based on the Inverness side of Beauly. This is yet another stunning part of the Highlands, next to the beautiful Beauly Firth and not far from three fantastic Glens (photos below).

Ffordes Photographic are one of best-stocked photography suppliers in the UK and have the largest stock of pre-used equipment in the UK. Managed by the irrepressible Alister Bowie, he and the team are a lynchpin in the Highland photographic community.

Ffordes work closely with camera manufacturers to bring events, demo and promotional days giving us all the opportunity to try new kit and learn from the experts. Events often involve master-classes from well-known, award-winning photographers from all over the UK, such as: Olympus and Westcott Lighting Ambassador Robert Pugh; Olympus Ambassador Gavin Hoey; Social & Landscape photographer Margaret Soraya; photo-journalist Gerry McCann; wildlife photographers Andy Howard, Laurie Campbell and Neil McIntyre, to name but a few.

Ffordes prides itself in offering high levels of service and advice and knowledge to amateur and professional photographers, the owner and staff are all enthusiast photographers who are encouraged to share their photographic knowledge and experience with customers.

About Ffordes Photographic

Ffordes Photographic Ltd was opened by Reg Byford in 1960 in Basildon, Essex. In those early years of business, Ffordes become one of the largest retailers and main dealers for cine and camera equipment by Bolex, Nikon, Canon, Hasselblad, Leica, Linhof, Topcon, Mamiya, Zenza Bronica and many others.

The business grew over the years and in the early 1980’s a second shop was opened at Elmer Approach, Southend-on Sea, when Reg’s second son, Stephen starting working there.

Unfortunately, in 1995, Reg passed away after a brief illness and Stephen was left to take over from his father the running of Ffordes. Stephen decided not to change much from what his father had achieved and built up over the years, as customers liked the high level of service and staff knowledge they received.

The business continued to expand, moving to larger premises in Westcliff-on Sea, Essex in the early 1990s. This was not the last relocation for

This was not the last relocation for Ffordes… Steve and his wife had for a number of years spent holidays in the Highlands of Scotland and fallen in love with its widen open spaces, landscapes and the way of life of the Highland people. The seed had been sown and in 2001 Ffordes Photographic moved to Beauly twelve miles west of Inverness.

Ffordes have obviously embraced the digital revolution in camera equipment in all the various forms and formats, whilst still retaining knowledge, enthusiasm and a considerable stock of film cameras.